Bacillus (shape)

Although "Bacillus", capitalized and italicized, specifically refers to the genus, the word bacillus may also be used to describe any rod-shaped bacterium, and in this sense, bacilli are found in many different taxonomic groups of bacteria.

It should be noted that the cell morphology term "bacillus" does not necessarily indicate Gram-positive staining, as "E. coli" is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria.

Enterobacteriaceae is also Gram-negative, and rod-shaped.cite web |url=http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/three/000035660.htm |title=Dorlands Medical Dictionary:Enterobacteriaceae |format= |work= |accessdate=]

Bacillus are usually solitary, but can combine to form diplobacilli, streptobacilli, and palisades. [ [http://www2.nemcc.edu/bkirk/Template%201/MICROCHAPTER4NOTES.htm CHAPTER 4 FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS ] ]

MacConkey agar can be used to distinguish among Gram negative bacilli.cite web |url=http://education.med.nyu.edu/courses/old/microbiology/courseware/infect-disease/Gram_Neg_Bacilli5.html |title=Gram Negative Bacilli |format= |work= |accessdate=]

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